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SAN ANTONIO — In a perfect world, prestigious World Heritage status conferred on San Antonio's missions would rest entirely on the sites' historical merit.

But the reality is that this will occur more readily with advocates for the designation within UNESCO, the conferring organization. This designation brings with it honor and attention that will translate into more international tourism — and more local jobs.

This will affect pending World Heritage designation for two U.S. sites — San Antonio's missions and an ancient civilization site in Poverty Point, La.

But don't blame UNESCO. The ouster is automatic when a member nation hasn't paid its dues in two years. The United States and Israel haven't. UNESCO admitted the Palestine Authority in 2011. A 1994 law compels the United States to withdraw from international organizations that offer such recognition.

Given that the United States already provides aid to Palestine entities and has advocated a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestine question, this law has long been archaic. Congress, however, has refused to act to begin paying UNESCO dues again.

There is immediate, broader-brush diplomatic fallout. Through UNESCO, the United States has been able to flex soft power — diplomatic credibility through cooperation in education, science and culture. This is what UNESCO is about.

But there is also local repercussion. Who will now advocate for the World Heritage designation for San Antonio's missions now that the United States has no vote?

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, among the many locally advocating World Heritage status, said efforts will now focus on getting help from Spain and Latin American countries that share in the missions' history.

Yes, the missions deserve the status purely on merit, but such help will now be welcome absent U.S. membership in UNESCO.

The United States, quite apart from World Heritage decisions, should be an active player in UNESCO.